NZQA News

NZQA is currently producing a series of videos showcasing three schools which were early adopters of technology in teaching, learning and assessment.

In the videos the schools tell their story about the challenges and successes they experienced as digital technology became an integral part of life both inside and outside of the classroom.

These videos will encourage discussion about the way in which technology is changing teaching and learning.

Deputy chief executive Richard Thornton says that NZQA interviewed several school leaders and teachers who have made significant progress in using technology as a catalyst for transforming teaching and learning.

 “We also heard from students about their experience of using technology in their learning and assessment journey,” he says.

NZQA’s own digital transformation journey is well underway and Richard was recently seconded into a new role focused entirely on Digital Assessment, for a two-year period.

“My new role is to oversee NZQA’s work in transforming NCEA assessment so it is fit for a global and digital world.

“We know the changes we are making to the way in which assessments take place are a reflection of the increasingly digital world in which today’s students are living and learning, and we’re very pleased to share our journey and the sector stories in these videos because of the potential opportunity that digital assessment provides.”

The videos will be available to view on the NZQA website by late April. Over the next 12 months Richard will also be visiting schools talking about digital transformation and getting feedback on how we can best work within the sector to better meet the needs of students and schools.

“This year we will really start to make more tangible progress in terms of digital assessment. For example this year we plan to offer a revamped eMCAT (electronic mathematics common assessment task) pilot that builds on the learnings from last year. This will be an optional online digital assessment that can count towards NCEA.

“By 2018, we are aiming to have some digital examinations. These examinations will be used for several subjects that are best suited to transitioning to being digital.”

By 2020 NZQA envisages offering a wide range of digital assessment, with the ultimate aim of assessment being online, anywhere, anytime. Richard says that online assessments will start small and be optional.